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Monday, October 26, 2015

Where Is Your Bookmark? (10/27/2015)

This past weekend while trying to decide if I wanted to dive into Karen E. Olson's latest, Hidden, or Catherine McKenzie's Smoke, I settled on Hidden after reading the first couple paragraphs. I was pulled in right away. It helps that I have enjoyed everything I have read by Karen E. Olson before--she's a favorite author of mine. She's mentioned her latest is a bit different than her usual fare, which got me even more curious. Hidden is about Nicole, a woman who left her old life as a computer hacker behind fifteen years ago, making a new life for herself. Someone from her past has found her, however, and it sets off a chain of events that threaten to uproot everything Nicole has worked hard to build in her new life.

First two paragraphs of Hidden by Karen E. Olson:I went missing fifteen years ago.And now the only person who knew where I was is dead.

Teaser from Hidden at 16%:

"I've got a job for you." His voice is low, curling around each word like a snake.

I have not heard those words in a long time, and something moves through me: revulsion followed by a clammy fear, and then the adrenaline of desire sticks in my throat.

And from 25% of Hidden:

I might have to flee again. I might have to give up this life as well as the other one. My breath catches in my throat.

What do you think? Would you keep reading?
I ended up finishing the book in just a day, something I rarely am able to do anymore. I am now reading Smoke by Catherine McKenzie.

What are you reading at the moment? Is it anything you would recommend?

This week's Top Ten Tuesday theme is a Halloween themed freebie -- I decided to go with a list of books and movies I have read or seen that remind me of Halloween. And maybe a cat.

1.

A subtly creepy book I can recommend this time of year is Dracula by Bram Stoker. An obvious choice, I know, but oh so good. (I have yet to find a movie version which even comes close to living up to the book.)

2.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova ~ I got lost in the pages of this book and walked around in a fog when not reading it. This is a good one to read after reading Dracula.
3.

Fangland by John Marks ~ A very loose modern re-telling of Dracula, that takes a drastic turn.

4.

Hocus Pocus is one of my favorite Halloween movies. I am not much for scary movies, and so this is about the caliber of Halloween fare I enjoy.

5.

World War Z by Max Brooks ~ The book is much different than the movie. I almost didn't include World War Z on this list, but it is about zombies. It's one of the few zombie books I have read, and I really liked it. (I liked the movie too.)

6.

A Halloween Scare in California by Eric James and Marina Le Ray is a favorite Halloween picture book in our house. My daughter and I love the story--while the connection the state we live in is kind of lost on my 4 year old, it's a fun story just the same. A boy watches out his window as all the scariest monsters in the state come to town for a party only to find they are all coming to his house.

7.

Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist ~ This horror novel left a lasting impression on me. Not for the faint of heart. (I thought the movie was okay.)

8.

20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill is full of stories that are perfect for Halloween.

9.

The Nightmare Before Christmas movie was a pleasant surprise. We saw it for the first time this past weekend and really enjoyed it. Now I understand what all the fuss is about.

Hocus Pocus is so good! Definitely need to re-watch it this year :) And that cat picture is adorable. My cat barely lets me touch her, so I don't think she'll be okay with a costume... Here's my TTT on the best magical creatures: https://victoriajaynesbooks.wordpress.com/2015/10/27/top-ten-tuesday-28-halloween/

OK, I might have picked Hidden too over Smoke (although I am enjoying Smoke a lot). I had to go look up Karen Olson because I knew I remembered something about her books. Saw she wrote that tattoo shop series. Which I never read but which looked fun. I'll have to see if my library gets Hidden. Am I crazy or have e-books gotten so very, very expensive? Sigh.

Love the Halloween list. Especially Hocus Pocus. What a great movie! My daughter and I used to love it. I think I need to watch it again soon. Such a great trio of ladies - Bette, Sarah Jessica, Kathy - come little children......

Judy - I am enjoying Smoke so far. Hidden was very good. I highly recommend it. I hope you have a happy Halloween too! Mouse is very excited about it. Her school party is tomorrow and she'll get to do a little trick or treating then. :-)

Not too sure that those teasers speak to me but what I did like was the thought of a female hacker. Nearly always young men, I certainly don't think I've come across a single book in which the hacker is a woman.

Loving your Halloween picks, Fangland comes highly recommended by several of my young friends as does World War Z.

Never a fan of The Nightmare Before Christmas, I really like The Corpse Bride though.

Tracy - Yes, you usually see male hackers and very rarely female ones. This was a nice change. I worried that the amount of time the main character was away from computers would hamper believability, but the author manages to deal with that well.

I like the way the author describes the character's reaction in the Teaser at 16% -- a combination of revulsion, fear, and elation. Sounds like things are about to get complicated! I've never read a book where the main character was a computer hacker so I'm definitely curious about this one.Thank you for stopping by my blog. I appreciate your comments.

I like the way Hdden sounds, I might have to pick that one up! I loved The Historian too. It made my list this week also. I tried to get my husband to read it, but he wasn't consistent with his reading, and I think The Historian is one of those books you have to read in a firly short amount of time or you'll forget what's going on and be lost. I read my books in a matter of a few days, so it wasn't a prblem for me. Anyhow, it's a really good book, I'm glad to see it on another lst this week. Here's my TTT. Happy Halloween!

I would pay to see someone put a cat in a costume. Mine would absolutely not stand stand for it. You've got a great list! I don't think I've ever seen The Nightmare Before Christmas and Joe Hill and The Historian are on my TBR. I haven't read anything by Olson but I'd like too! Great teaser!

Hidden sounds very good, I'd keep reading. I'm finishing up The Duchess War by Courtney Milan now and hope to have a few reviews up soon.I love your list!! I have wanted to read The Historian for a while and Let the Right One In as well. Hocus Pocus is a must watch during this time of year. The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of my favorites, I have re-watched that one countless times, I just love it. Corpse Bride is also good.Happy Halloween :)

Naida - I've been wanting to give Courtney Milan a try. I'll be curious to know your final thoughts on The Duchess War. I want to see The Nightmare Before Christmas again. I need to see Corpse Bride still. I hope you have a Happy Halloween too!

Oh, 'Hidden' seems like the type of book I would enjoy. I'll have to check it out. I'm yet to read 'Dracula' or 'Let the Right One In', I had both books in this months TBR but failed to read either... I'm intrigued about 'Fangland' now. Will have to add it to my TBR following 'Dracula'. 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' is one of my all-time favourite movies! I watch it every year around Christmas. The closest my cat ever was to trying a costume was this: https://instagram.com/p/Tnu0WHJv6k/?taken-by=liavsherself She wasn't as traumatised by the event as I had expected so I'll probably try again with something more daring soon! ^^

Ooh, another friend of mine has that A Halloween Scare book for her state and I was thinking of getting the NY version of it this year but now the time has flown and I haven't yet. I definitely need to get it for my son for next year, though! I have been LOVING reading him Halloween books this year because they're a ton of fun.

Hocus Pocus is such a classic! I usually watch it with friends every year but still haven't watched it yet this year. I'm hoping to watch this weekend!

Hi, and thank you :) it's lovely to hear that you enjoyed it, and thank you for including it on your list!

Yes, I was keen to ensure it was a proper story. I know a lot of localized books trade on that fact alone and don't put much effort in. There are 78 versions of "A Halloween Scare" and I've written approximately 140 completely bespoke verses for them.

To answer your question, each book essentially tells the same tale but is customised with two bespoke verses, a lot of localized artwork and quite a few place-name changes; for example, there is a giant chicken roaming around in Kentucky ("He strode down the street and was heard to be gloating 'You'll never get ME in a crispy crumb coating'"), and there are monsters from MIT (Monsters In Training) in the Massachusetts version.

If you want to know more I have a free 'behind the scenes' PDF you can grab, or you can find some info on this page http://ericjames.co.uk/halloween-book/

Eric - Thank you so much for dropping in and commenting! We are big fans of the book--especially the ending. My daughter took your book to school for share day last week so she could share it with all her friends. I love the idea of a giant chicken roaming down the street--and that line is too funny. :-)

I definitely will stop by and visit your website to read more about the behind the scenes about the books. Thanks again!

I read The Hidden as well and also really enjoyed it. I didn't realize that she was one of your favorite authors though...that makes me want to go try the other books of hers that I haven't read yet! I really need to write up my thoughts on it sooner rather than later. Glad to hear that you enjoyed it as well!

Samantha - I am glad to hear it, Sam! I have enjoyed all of Olson's books. Her Sacred Cows was my first book her and I loved it. It's the first in her Annie Seymour series. Her second series features a tattoo artist in Vegas and is a lot of fun. Hidden is a lot more serious in tone than her previous work.

Thanks so much for posting this! I am just so thrilled that you enjoyed HIDDEN!! I anyone here wants more of a teaser, I've got the whole first chapter on my website: www.kareneolson.com. The book is officially out today, Nov. 1, too, and available as an ebook, too.

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At the age of five, Literary Feline (aka Wendy) was diagnosed as a fabulavore. Due to the low story content of movies and television, she has required a steady supply of books to provide her sustenance. She currently resides in California with her loving husband, adorable daughter, and two affectionate and sassy cats. Literary Feline has broadened her nutritional sources by reviewing books. Please note: Literary Feline is not a bibliovore. She's not eating the books for goodness' sake.